Jahlil Okafor is the big addition, an addition I panned as repetitive on draft night and now think was the greatest pick ever (stable opinions, I know). He provides the Sixers with an offensive presence in the paint that they have not had in quite some time. As his defensive game progresses, he could become a dominant big man. Nerlens Noel, last year's big addition, has the opposite issue. I expect him to dominate the paint defensively as a power forward this season, and we all hope that his offensive game continues to progress. They are the two most pivotal developmental pieces on this team, as their ability to mesh together and co-exist in the paint is crucial to this re-build working out.
The other really interesting addition to this squad is Nik Stauskas, the 8th overall pick in the 2014 draft. The former Michigan star did struggle as a rookie, but has plenty of promise, and time on this roster, to blossom yet. Christian Wood, a player who went from a potential first rounder to undrafted in the 2015 draft, also made the roster and intrigues me a lot. Kendall Marshall joined the team through free agency and Carl Landry through the trade that brought Stauskas over, both adding some veteran presence to this squad. Robert Covington is back and hopefully can build on a solid season last year, and Tony Wroten will return from his torn ACL soon as well. Isaiah Canaan will man the point while the Sixers let Marshall and Wroten heal. Jerami Grant is back and Richaun Holmes joins him in the front court. T.J. McConnell won the last guard spot on this team, while JaKarr Sampson and Hillis Thompson will be swingmen. Joel Embiid is on the roster and won't play a game.
Realistically, Boston and Toronto are probably better teams going into the season. The Sixers would do really, really well to finish third and maybe make the post-season. If they make the post-season though, they'd run right into a Cleveland, Chicago, Washington type of team who will run them out of the building and knock them out fast. This team is probably best served finishing between ninth and twelfth in the conference, but third in the division. That's really hopeful stuff though.
I see the Sixers going 29-53, which is extremely hopeful, but speaks to the belief I have in Okafor, Noel, and Stauskas blossoming this year. That would mark an 11 game improvement, and set them up in 2016-2017 to be a playoff team. If they actually do improve by 11 games, you could bet on an Okafor Rookie-of-the-Year campaign, and improvement up and down the roster. I think it's possible. We also shouldn't get too caught up in it quite yet either way.
The Sixers have four draft picks in the first round this coming June. Yes, four. So this should be the last year where the expectations aren't for the team to be playoff bound. For now though, hope to see an improved team that has young players developing into good NBA players- at least we hope.
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